Ephesians 6 - God Protects

Another great morning in church today…Gavin Lloyd spoke from Ephesians 6 (God Protects) the final chapter in our series on the book Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:10-20

The cry of the human heart is to fight. We will all be stirred by a noble cause.

Our greatest fights though are on the inside of us!

And yet… 'our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.'

This is a surprise to us because the battle really looks like flesh and blood! But Paul says it’s not!

2 Corinthians 10:4 - “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

God says that there will be times when He will fight with us and even fight for us!! The scripture says Exodus 15:3, “The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.”

Deuteronomy 3:22, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you”

Just before David goes into battle he says this, 1 Samuel 17:47, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

There is one who has also gone on to fight for our salvation – His name is Jesus

God Protects

He gives us all we need to take a stand.

So often Christians wear themselves out by being on the offensive all of the time. Obsessed with driving out rather than just taking a stand.

All we need to do is make sure we are in the places and positions that we’re meant to be…and then take a stand.

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm (Abraham Lincoln)

Places of heart and attitude, worship, church and vision, leadership, calling etc.
Paul assures us that the enemy WILL come! Make sure we’re properly and suitably equipped for when that happens

STAND FIRM

When taking a STAND 4 things to remember…

1) Jesus is stronger

1 John 4:4 - Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world

Our God alone is all-powerful, all knowing and ever present! It’s important that we are aware of spiritual battles that go on everyday…but this reality is not meant to make us fearful to give us a fearful attitude or outlook, but to point us to God, His word and promises as a source of empowerment, equipping and strength.

Colossians 2:13-15
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross

Yes there is a struggle that goes on in an unseen realm we are reminded that our strength and ultimate victory can and will be found in Jesus. His power and work on the cross are the foundations of the confident spirit we are to face our daily trials and challenges with.

2) Put on all your armour

The armour works most effectively when all elements are deliberately put on every day.

We only need to make the decision to stand firm.

The Belt of Truth
Purpose of the Belt - The belt held the soldiers clothing next to their body to create an easier way to move. The belt was also used to strengthen and give support to the soldier.

Belt of truth = facts, truth, lack of deception

The truth that Paul is talking about is not from the opinions of our mind or what others might think. The truth that matters more than anything else is truth that comes from God. The belt of Truth is from God.

Christ is truth
The Word of God is truth
Living a life that follows truth

The belt of Truth:
Keeps us focused
Keeps us reminded
Keeps us supported

The Breastplate of Righteousness
Purpose of the breastplate: The breastplate was designed to protect the heart. The breastplate was a large plate of metal that extended from the neck down to the thighs.

Righteousness is the standing that we are given when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Jesus is the one who makes us right with God the Father. It is Jesus that gives us a right relationship with God. Righteousness is literally being made right…because of Christ.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

As Christians we are meant to protect our hearts from the power and corruption of sin.

The Sandals of Peace - Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace

Go where your salvation leads you. Where to? Church – Sundays, midweek, good places. They won’t lead you to places where we’re not to meant go…but where we should go!

The peace that we have in Christ gives us a firm standing in any situation that life can throw at us.

The peace of Christ gives us the security to stand for Him when we need to do so.
Go to the right places…and then STAND FIRM!

The Shield of Faith
Purpose of the shield - to protect the soldier from arrow attacks. These types of shields were often covered with leather and soaked in water prior to battle. The purpose was to put out flames if needed.

In ancient battles arrows were often covered in pitch or some type of combustible material. The arrows were then lit and shot to act like a small incendiary bombs. This is the type of strategy that the devil uses against us.

He assaults us with fiery attacks to…

• Question our salvation
• Question our calling
• Question our involvement
• Cause doubt and wonder in our lives
• Become discouraged, depressed and defeated

The sign of the Christian soldier is that we are to place our complete trust in God. It is our faith that becomes our shield from the fiery attacks of the Devil.

It is faith that gives us the strength to stand when Christ calls. The power and presence of God is our shield in life.

The Helmet of salvation
Purpose of the helmet - The helmet is meant to give protection to the head and to the mind. There is no possible way for the soldier to be effective if the mind is lost.

Thus the mind becomes on of the most vital areas to protect.

For the Christian, salvation becomes the source of our protection over the core of our being. When we are saved, we are offered protection for our minds. Why is this so important?

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Battle for the mind! Holy Spirit…brings life and peace to our minds!

The Sword of the Spirit
Purpose of the sword - The sword was used for both offense and defense. The sword could be used to either fight off the enemy or to slay the enemy.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Our sword is the word of God. The scriptures give us the ability to fight back against the schemes and the plans of the enemy.

3) We will stand in the end

God will not allow a skirmish to unfold more furious than we can handle. We can stand with our armour and know in the end we will stand.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it

4) We need each other

And the last verse encourages us to…

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

So fight for and alongside one another in prayer constantly.

Matthew 12:25 – “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand”

A house divided against itself cannot STAND

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

How to exit one season and enter another

This was the start of a special day for us at CLC. A great morning with an excellent message from Paul Benger on how to exit one season and enter another.

Exodus 14:5-25

Seasons change. Most people hope that it will be summer all of the time. Some Christians believe that they will go from summer to summer. But there is more than one season. Even in winter, deep beneath the surface, God is at work!

The Children of Israel had experienced one long winter season…Egypt. Yet this was their day, the day when Moses came back from 40 years in the wilderness, the day when they would leave one season and enter another.

When God is fulfilling his promise you don’t always recognise it…sometimes your focus remains on the day to days. The Children of Israel were going through a time like this.
“Why did you take us out of Egypt?” They couldn’t see what God was doing. Are we like that at the moment? Stuff to be done and we can’t see God in it all.

Transitions are so important, they keep us moving forward. God is saying to us today, “Keep moving forward”.

Exodus 14:13-15 - But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!

Just stay calm, don’t be afraid…chill out! Moses is telling the people this, that God is on your side. In private he is crying out to God…he is panicking! God says, ‘tell the people to go forward’.

What are you doing? Are you moving forward? Moses was bold with the people and yet negative with God.

Don’t be tempted to hang about…get moving! Serve God, don’t hold back. It is a new season for you and for us as a church…a season of growth, miracles, favour, hope!

4 keys that help us move from one season to the next…

1) Don’t say it was better back then

Exodus 14:11-12 – and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

When we keep looking back it becomes increasingly frustrating. Don’t tie our lives to the past, tie it to the future that God has for us.

If we drive our cars constantly looking in the rear view mirror we’re going to CRASH!

Only look back at what Christ has done for you…at what he accomplished at the cross. Be thankful but keep moving into your future.

2) Use what you have in your hand

Exodus 14:15-16 - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

Recognise the potential God has put in you. We can’t suddenly have in our hands what somebody else has in theirs. Use, with faith, what we have in our hand right now.

David tried to wear Saul’s armour…but in the end had to use what God had placed in his hand.

3) Keep your focus on God not the problem or the enemy

Exodus 14:13-14 – But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Just stay calm! God is BIG. He is STRONGER! He will fight for us, he is our strength and shield.

Jesus said, ‘I Will build my church’. Always remember what God has promised.

4) Have faith for the future

Exodus 14:13-14 – But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Abraham Lincoln, ‘…always remember it is a slip and not a fall….failure is not final’

Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death

Let us keep talking about the future. Have faith for a bigger and better future!

How to win a battle you didn’t see coming

Great morning at CLC, Paul Benger spoke an excellent message on the subject of ‘winning battles we didn’t see coming’.

Exodus 17:8-16

How were the Israelites going to win this battle? They had been wandering in the wilderness because of the fear and the lack of faith of the ten spies.

Moses was continually frustrated at the people of Israel and their negative outlook on their circumstances. He had become a ‘manager’ of the people rather than a ‘leader’.

Here we find them at a place of rest, when an unexpected army rises up against them. Here they didn’t need a democratic vote on what to do; they needed leadership that says ‘we can do it!’

We all face unexpected battles from time to time. Here are 3 keys that show us how to win those battles we didn’t see coming…

1) Get yourself in the right position

Exodus 17:9 – Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."

Moses knew that the battles they faced were spiritual and not just physical. There are things that are bigger than we are. We need to remember our limitations.

Let us fight and pray. Do what we can do and let God do what he will do.

Let us get positioned correctly…on the mountain top in prayer. Lift our hands to God…this says I am relying on God, that the battle belongs to the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 – For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds

This battle was being won by faith. As we position ourselves on the mountain top it gives us a different perspective…God’s perspective.

Prayer changes things. Moses saw that when his hands were up they were winning the battle, but when his hands were down they began to lose.

Hear the voice of God…to do that we sometimes need to switch our voices off!

Psalm 27:1-6 – The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

When the day of trouble comes let us remain within the House of God where we find shelter and safety…where He sets us UP!

2) Get yourself in the right posture

Exodus 17:11-13 – As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

This battle was won sitting down with hands raised up.

Battles can sometimes last longer than anticipated. We therefore need to find a place of rest in the midst of the battle. They’re not won in striving but in rest.

Battles can make us weary and worn-out. We need to find rest in who God is…and the work he has done in our lives.

Hand raised up is the universal sign for SUBMISSION. That we are surrendered to God…that he knows better than you and me.

It is also the universal sign for PRAISE. We don’t often feel like praising in the midst of the fight and yet,

Hebrews 13:15 – Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name.

Submission and praise wins the battle! Jesus is Lord! God will thrive in any circumstance…He is the same God wherever we find ourselves.

We also need to know how to hold one anothers hands up…which is why being in the House of God is so important to us when we are in a battle. What you do for others God will do for you.

As well as holding up people we also need to hold up the vision that God has given us.

3) Get yourself with the right people

Exodus 17:12-13 – When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword

Moses didn’t go up the mountain alone…he went with people who would hold him up.

Let us walk with people who will hold us up. Relationships that are God given. Probably 90-95% of what God does in our lives is through other people.

Let us remain humble so that we can hear what other people say to us and let God speak to us through them.

Having the right people in our lives is so important in winning those unexpected battles.

Ephesians 5

Another great morning at CLC, Paul Benger continued this excellent series on the book of Ephesians with a message called GOD FILLS AND EMPOWERS.

Ephesians 5:1-21

We’ve all got things in our lives we want to see changed. What effects our lives? My life doesn’t have to be determined by the economic climate…but can be determined by God’s power and the Holy Spirit at work in me.

Christianity can thrive in any environment, no matter what is going on around us. It’s not what’s around us that matters but what is inside of us.

Christianity is not a ‘make over’…it’s a transformation, God at work in us changing us by his power.

5 things from Ephesians 5 where God fills us and empowers us…

1) God fills us and empowers us to love

Ephesians 5:1-2 – Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God

Be imitators of God. This doesn’t mean copying God. Let his life flow out of us. He fills us and causes us to love.

When we love people we want the very best for them. Jesus didn’t compete with people he celebrated people. We’re not vying for position, competing against one another.

Love people that God will change.

2) God fills us and empowers us to live in light

Ephesians 5:8-9 – For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

Once we were in darkness, even the light inside of us was dark. All our good stuff was filthy.

But God put his spirit in us. We can now live another way. Live as people of the light. The enemy’s trick is to make the darkness appear like light and the light appear like darkness…don’t buy that!

You are a light in the darkness. Be the light, be yourself. Turn the light on!

3) God fills us and empowers us to live wise

Ephesians 5:15-17 – Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is

God knows more than we do. Live with his wisdom…knowing his will for our lives.

Don’t let your wisdom take you somewhere you’re not meant to go. He is wiser than us.

You might have missed opportunities from the past…God is going to give you those opportunities again.

4) God fills us and empowers us to live full of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18-20 – Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Reject the notion of a pwerless Christianity. It’s not just a set of new values and stuff…it’s a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. It’s no makeover!

God gives us the power and grace to overcome. Whatever he asks us to do he empowers us to be able to do it!

1 Corinthians 10:13 – No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it

5) God fills us and empowers us to live submitted

Ephesians 5:21 – Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ

Get under the mission of your home, your church, your workplace. Being submitted to one another means we are under their mission.

MISSION
SUB

Everything that is not led goes nowhere! Servant leadership leads in a way that says how can I help you in what you are doing?

Second Nature

Great message in church this morning from Mark Wilkins…talking about our second nature.

Our desire is to live authentic lives…having an impact on those around us.

Ephesians 4:13-16 – until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will

As Christians we’re not meant to live our lives in straight jackets, bound by rigid rules. Yet some Christians believe this is the way to live.

The main way is to live our lives authentically in the second nature that has been given to us…as a new creation. Over time we are transformed, we grow into maturity.

How do we live? What does our second nature look like? Our goal is to glorify God and become more like Jesus.

Philippians 2:5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus

Our aim is to have the same attitude as Christ…to become Christ like. Yet we know to live up to that standard is so difficult…Jesus is God!

His purpose was to bring God’s Kingdom to earth…and to become more like him is to have that same purpose in our own lives.

Let’s look at a group of people who the Apostle Paul recognised as have grasped this truth with regards to living this authentic second nature.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 – We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ

1 Thessalonians 5:8 – But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet

These characteristics of Faith, Hope and Love that they had right, we should have too.

1 Corinthians 13:11-13 – When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love

Faith – seeing life through God’s eyes. Knowing that everyday God is with me. He is stronger, bigger than any of my circumstances.

Hope – not the kind of hope that says ‘I hope I might win the lottery’, but a hope that says Jesus is with me right now. We’re not just hoping for a better future. We can take steps today. When Paul was in prison he was praising God because he had Hope…that God was with him.

Love – love is the greatest! If we have love for God and for people it sustains us…it encapsulates everything else. This love is not just for my partner/family but it is for everyone.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

Be true to yourself…but which self? The second nature person. Let us be authentic to that second nature and not the first nature.

We need to exercise our second nature muscles!

Put on the right person…genuine, not false…not pretending. Consciously where the right clothes. Put this into practice so that it becomes natural over time. We might get things wrong from time to time…but we will get it right too.

Practical steps to live by that second nature and to become more like our creator…

Read God’s word – again not out religious duty but out of relationship. Not beating ourselves up but having that desire to know God more and to make the choice of reading and getting his word inside of us.

Look to people who are great examples – who live their lives that reflect that behaviour, second nature.

Philippians 3:17 – Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you

This also happens in community. We’re called to be together…the church. Worshipping together, praying together…developing those faith muscles.

Choose to serve together…this is very powerful.

Baptism – great step, public declaration…choosing to follow Jesus.

Giving – all part of developing our lives, growing in our second nature. Over time will become easier…to be generous, to honour God. Let us work our generosity muscles!

Ephesians 4

Paul Benger continues a great series on the book of Ephesians with a message called GOD BUILDS.

Ephesians 4:1-16

God builds his church. He is a builder. He will occasionally do a quick fix but his normative process is building. The building of the Church is the Primary Work of Jesus Christ. Jesus said "I will build my church" Matthew 16

We are also called to build. We are into building the lives of people, so they can live expansive, growing and flourishing lives.

Some people have a love view of church like it is just a club or religious organisation. The Biblical view is that we are the body of Christ on the earth…this is how God speaks to the world…through the church.

So the top of God’s ‘to do’ list is to build his church. How does he go about this?

1) God Builds Through Unity

Ephesians 4:3 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

Ephesians 4:13 - until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ

Division, arguments and factions build NOTHING. God builds unity and unity builds the church. Some of the things that contribute to unity, (vs 1-2) – As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love

We are not perfect BUT we can be united! Stay as one and love and care for one another.

Unity thrives in an atmosphere of peace. We are to be at peace with God, at peace with ourselves and at peace with others. God loves unity. He loves unity of heart and unity of vision.

God loves unity that is WILLING. Unity cannot be cajoled or forced

2) God Builds People who build His church

Ephesians 4:7 - But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it

Ephesians 4:11-13 – It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The church builds itself. It is not the job of paid clergy to build the Church. The Church builds itself. Jesus gives Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers to the Church to build people who build the church. So get inviting, loving, caring, praying.

Ephesians 4:16 - From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work

3) God Builds Maturity

Ephesians 4:13-16 – until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

So that we are no longer tossed about! Maturity is revealed in stability, reliability, bouncebackability, consistency. A mature church gets fit together, each part does its work.

What difference does Easter make?

Great Easter celebration at CLC today. Paul Benger shared the good news that Easter brings us.

The world is full of unimportant news. It’s important that we get the news that we can use. We have good news today!

We believe that Jesus rose from the dead! When he rose from the dead it wasn’t done in secret. There are 15 references to Jesus meeting people after he rose from the dead. What does his resurrection tell us today?

Jesus was who he claimed to be
Jesus had the power he said he had – death could not hold him!
Jesus does what he promises to do

Jesus was who he claimed to be

John 11:25 – "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies”

Jesus made outrageous claims. He was who he said he was or he was a mad man!

John 14:6 – Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

An outrageous claim? He is THE way, THE truth and THE life.

Jesus had the power he claimed he had

Matthew 28:18 – Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”

John 10:18 – “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father”

Jesus still has that power today. He breaks into our lives and sets us free.

Jesus does what he promises

Matthew 10:34 – Three days later he will rise

He wasn’t surprised by the cross…it was all part of his plan.

Matthew 28:5-6 – The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay

He isn’t here! The resurrection shows us that Jesus keeps his promises.

3 reasons why this is news we can use…

1) The news is…my past can be forgiven

Some people wish they could start all over again…live with regret or guilt.

The resurrection tells us that our past can be forgiven.

Colossians 2:14 – having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross

He cancelled every record of debt that we owed. The tactic of the enemy is to throw back at us that we still owe…that there is still a debt to be paid. Jesus has dealt with it!

2) The news is…our present can be controlled/managed

Be in charge…rule in life. Maturity in life is when we realise we can’t do it all on our own…in our own strength. BUT in Christ I can do all things…because of the strength he gives me.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength (I am ready for anything! – amplified)

3) The news is…my future can be secured

What happens when we die? The resurrection of Jesus says we can LIVE. Not just now but for eternity! Live NOW - ‘We are training for reigning’

John 14:2 – In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you

There is more than enough room!

New Creation

Loved church this morning! Jeannie Benger shared a great message about the fact that we are ‘new creations’ and that we should live a life transformed.

As we grow older we can find ourselves taking on our parents traits…physical, mannerisms, speech etc.

We can also unknowingly take on their attitudes, some can be good but some can be bad. These can hold us back from having that abundant life God has for us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

1) Be confident in who you are!

Judges 6:12 – "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."

You can be the person that also brings strength and encouragement to others. We have been put on this earth to make a massive difference.

Live with confidence. Don’t compare yourselves to others. I.e. don’t try to keep up with the Jones’. Don’t let your STUFF define who you are.

The opinion of ONE matters…not the opinions of others! You are sons and daughters of the Living God. He’s cheering you on! Have confidence in this fact…change the way we think.

2) Renew your thinking

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will

The way we think about ourselves effects our living. We can lack confidence.

Philippians 4:18 – I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God

Meditate and live out God’s word. Live a life that smells good to those around you!

Psalms 1:2-3 – But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers

3) Spend time with the new you

Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm

We all need heroes. Build the right kind of relationships in your life. Don’t let the wrong kind of people in your life keep you from going somewhere in God.

Be with people who will do you good…take you to the next level. Have great friendships and don’t disconnect yourselves when the going gets tough.

The spirit of those around you will rub off on you. Iron sharpens iron.

Matthew 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

Don’t let anyone put your light out!

4) Act like the new you

James 1:23-25 – Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does

Wear God well. Show Christ in you to those around you. The choices we make will show how well we wear God.

Live differently to those around you. Choose what you show in your life…let God clothe you!

Act on the word of God…His truth, not the principles of this world.
Keep the right attitude about yourself as well as others.

5) Talk about the new you

Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit

Let your confession be one of good.

Proverbs 10:21 – The lips of the righteous nourish many

The way we speak changes the atmosphere. Be who he has called you to be. Do what he has called you to do.

Don’t let your confession be a confession of lack…negativity. Talk the promises of God.

6) See the new you

Look at the mirror of God’s word. Whatever you can see…you can be!

Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also

He has great plans for your life!

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Rise up and take every opportunity. Don’t shrink back...seize this great abundant life that he has for us.

He looked down through time and said he wanted you! He chose you! You’re special and loved.

Psalm 8:5 – You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour

Missions Sunday

Great time in church today. It was our Missions Sunday with visitors from City Hearts Sheffield. Paul Benger shared a life-changing message about ‘turning money the right way around’.

1 Chronicles 29:10-14 - "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honour come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Money is so important to us and to our world…this is probably why it spoken about and taught about so much in the Bible. Jesus touched on the subject of money many times.

Finance could be one of those areas that holds us back as a church in moving forward with the vision that we believe God has given us. Money can free us or it can bind us. If we can do all that we can do…God will do all that he can do.

Our wish list when it comes to finances…

1) That we would have ‘financial margin’, so that when God moves us to give then we can respond. Maybe we need to use better what we have already to create financial margin.

2) Don’t be prisoners to our ‘stuff’. The richest person is often the most miserable…clinging on to their ‘stuff’. Stuff does not bring us happiness. The culture of our world causes us to serve our stuff.

3) Our attachment to money doesn’t hold us back.

4) That we become good stewards, that we manage our finances well.

Luke 16:13 - You cannot serve both God and Money

What is our Stewardship like?

“911” Giving - 9 parts for living, 1 part for saving, and then whatever is left over (if anything!) we give

“118” Giving – Give, Save, Live!

1 Chronicles 29:14 - But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

A good steward knows that what they have belongs to God anyway. The growing disciple knows that all he has belongs to God. That what we have been given we need to look after well.

It is important that we regularly and consistently give back to God. The church is good soil.

Proverbs 3:9 - Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops. (The Message - Honour God with everything you own; give him the first and the best)

Malachi 3:10 – Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it

That your house might be full! Let nothing hold us back…not hindered or hampered in anyway. So that we can respond when we need to.

Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Our heart should always follow money.

The greatest challenges that face in the future will be met in force by a company of 118 people…the church!

Heroes

We had a fantastic time in church this morning; it was Mother’s Day at CLC! Paul Benger shared a great message about Heroes.

Exodus 2:1-10

Mums are heroes! The Bible is full of characters that encourage us to live a heroic life. Jesus is our greatest example.

We are called to live a heroic life! We often think we are ‘ordinary’ and yet we can live extraordinary lives.

Acts 7:20 – At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father's house

Moses was no ordinary child. There are no ordinary children.

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations

You were a dream in God’s mind before you even took your first breath. An idea, a vision…before you were ever born!

5 year olds – 95% have the potential of becoming innovators; 30 year olds – just 2% - What happens in the in-between years?

There is more in you than you can ever imagine! You have the capacity for an extraordinary life.
Look at Moses’ mum this morning. She was hero! Looking at her life and the life of heroes what can we learn today?

Heroes Jump

Heroes often take a leap. Every hero jumps! All of us in our heroic lives have moments of courage. We jump beyond those moments of despair and discouragement.

Moses’ mum – her leap was letting her son go into the basket. Her jump, she had to let him go to save his life. She didn’t have it all worked out but she had courage.

There are moments when we need to jump. When we need courage – steps that we need to take that might not feel comfortable at the time.

Heroes have a Great Perspective

Moses’ mum – her perspective, ‘you’re not going to get my boy!’ Never mess with a mother when it is to do with her son!

Keep your perspective right. We’re not ordinary. Keep believing, have the right perspective that says ‘my life matters’.

Heroes connect to a Heritage

Moses’ mum had a Godly heritage. A Levite, she believed her son was no ordinary child…this is what my son is going to do – to serve God.

This is our heritage also to stay connected to that calling of serving God in all that we do. Let’s keep our families connected to that heritage also.

‘Train a child in the way he/she should go’. Be a good example to our children, encourage them, teach them.

Rise and Build

New church website now up and running! RiseandBuild.co.uk

Ephesians 3

Another incredible morning at CLC today, Paul Benger shared a great message from Ephesians 3 – ‘God Reveals’.

Ephesians 3:1-21

The theme of Ephesians is ‘God’s ultimate purpose’ and he has revealed this through the church. Great plan of God for the world…he loves the world so much!

Paul starts this chapter intending on revealing another of his prayers for the Ephesian Church but he gets caught up in his story. Jesus told the Story that the Kingdom of God is like a pearl that a merchant when he had found it sold all that he had to buy it. Paul's attitude to what God has done for him is the same. "When I think of all this" he says vs1.

Jesus said the Kingdom was worth selling everything for. He placed a great value on the Kingdom therefore. Do we feel the same?

Paul’s excitement and passion for what God has done in his life is so evident in this chapter. That God though his power at work in us can accomplish more than we could ask or think!

We often need to just spend time and think about what God has done for us. Pause, stop and think about all of this. ‘Divert daily, withdraw weekly, abandon annually’ (Rick Warren)

Paul gets caught up in the verses 2-13 – that God has called him to be an apostle to the Gentiles. Paul is telling us, ‘if God can do it for me he can do it for you!’ He is calling us to be full on for God.

We here to pray and see your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. God’s purpose is to bless the world through the church. Jesus came to change the world and to see the church change the world through Christ.

Ephesians 3:6-7 – And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Paul’s revelation, that this was what he was going to give his life for! A revelation of God’s grace and God’s power (he couldn’t do it in his own strength)

God transforms our lives through revelation. For Paul his revelation was dramatic ands life-changing. It was the revelation that Jesus is King!

Paul calls himself "the least of all saints". I think he really believes it because of his intent to kill Christians (Acts 9). If God can change me by revealing his power to me my prayer is he will reveal himself to you. This is Paul's approach.

Paul's past didn't stop him. He understood the love of God which he emphasises in this chapter, that he had set him free from his past so that he could pursue his destiny.

Paul was transformed because he met Christ; he focused on what God had done; he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:10-11 – God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

The revelation of God’s purpose, to bless the world through the church. Paul’s revelation and ours today - that God is doing far more than we think he is doing!

Let us splash God colours wherever we go!

Ephesians 3:17-18 – Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

God loves us NOW. He loves the WORLD…we need to let world know how much he loves them!

Ephesians 3:16, 20-21 – I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit…Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

God – unlimited, infinitely more!

Ephesians 2

Mark Wilkins continued this excellent series this morning in church. Taken from Ephesians 2, ‘God Quickens’.

Ephesians 2:1-10

The first 3 verses that Paul writes are quite difficult for us, stark and right to the point. We can refuse to accept that we’re heading in the wrong direction!

Romans 1:18 – The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness

We hide away from our sin…try to suppress it. We all believe there is something wrong with our world…that it’s not perfect. Why is it not right?

We like to blame the ‘bad’ people! ‘Put them all away!’ But who are the ‘bad’ people? Everyone has a different view on this. But it is not about US and THEM…we are all in the same camp. This is what Paul is saying to us here.

The Pharisees used to spout this belief…that they were good and everyone else was bad.
‘Dead’ in your transgressions and sins means that the connection between us and God through Christ is not there…we are rebels and failures, this is what Paul is saying. Why are we in that position? Three reasons:

- We have an enemy (devil)
- The world is against us (the systems and the values)
- ‘Us’ (Human nature, propensity to sin…addiction)

We can find easy to see why God would be angry with the devil and the world…harder for us to accept that God would be angry with us. Paul is saying that God is right and justified to be angry with us. We need to understand all of this (these first 3 verses) before we can fully accept and receive the next incredible truths.

Verses 4-6 – But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

BUT! Paul changes the whole emphasis of this passage. Verse 4 turns this whole passage around! We now become alive in Christ…God sees us through Jesus.

‘God quickens’ – made alive, brought into a relationship with God through Christ.

Verse 7 – in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus

God lifts us up as great examples of his love and grace.

Luke 7:36-50

Here in this story Jesus brings to life what Paul is saying…it’s all about PEOPLE! This is an incredible picture of God’s love and grace…and the anger that is displayed in the hearts of the religious and judgmental.

We need to fully appreciate where we have come from and where we stand today. We have been forgiven so much…and we are ALL in the same boat.

Ephesians 2:8-10 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do

Just like the woman in Luke7 there is a response from us…a heart of worship, a grateful people. We also begin to see people how God sees them…there is not good people and bad people.

Bad people don’t exist…just people that need Jesus.

We also must ourselves how God sees us…his workmanship, masterpieces! Made alive in Christ…God quickened people! Valuable and precious in God’s eyes.

Our response is ‘Good Works’…and this is not to keep God happy with us, but it is good works that flow out of our relationship with Him. We always ‘remain in Christ’…honouring him in everything that we do. And our desire is to go out and see other lives transformed by this great truth that we have heard today!

Ephesians 1

We started our new series in church today based on the book of Ephesians. Paul Benger shared an excellent message from the first chapter of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:1-14

God’s ultimate purpose is to reconnect everything back to himself. This purpose is made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus but outworked by the Church.

Paul in Ephesians does not give us a small view of church but he has a high regard for the church. What kind of church do we see in Ephesians? What kind of Christian are we called to be?

We are no small and insignificant church…not a bedraggled bunch! We are the army of God…the people of God who are going to make a difference. Paul is excited by these truths as he shares this with the Ephesian church and with us!

In these opening verses of Ephesians 1 we see that God has blessed us…that he speaks good thinks over our lives.

What God has said…

Ephesians 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ

‘I will speak well of God who has spoken well of me’

‘Words’ are very powerful. What God has said over our lives is so important.

Joshua 14:8 – but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.

To be a church that partners with God we’ve got to believe his words about us…not what other people say about us.

Whose report will you believe? Will you accept what God has said about you?

Ephesians 1:4 - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight

God has looked down through eternity and chosen you and I. He has declared that he will have a people for himself.

(Vs13) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit
All of God’s choices are accessed by us…through faith (the currency of Heaven). Let’s not hold back…by faith walk into all the things God has for us. He’s given us the green light! Go!

(Vs4-5) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

We’re adopted. We’re not here by accident. A child of God…his choosing! Our choice is to be a rebelious child or an obedient child.

(Vs7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

We are totally forgiven…completely redeemed! Brought back into relationship with God

(Vs9-10) And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

Our ultimate purpose…laying the runway, declaring that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’!

(Vs13-14) And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory.

Live awake not asleep to the purposes of God.

You are chosen. You are his son. You are forgiven. he will fulfil his purpose to bring all things under one head, Jesus Christ. We, the church, are to live for the praise of his glory.

What God sees…

Ephesians 1:15-23

God’s desire is to save people. To connect people to himself.

Paul prays…

So that they may know Him better (relationship with God)

Glorious inheritance (His inheritance in the church)

He sees God powerfully at work through the church

Jesus having all authority and power

What God sees… a relationship with you. His inheritance in the church. His power at Work. Jesus has authority. Church is the fulness of Christ…bringing out the God colours in our world!

Matthew 5:13-16 (MSG) – “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

On Earth as it is Heaven

Fantastic day at CLC last Sunday. I spoke a message on us, the church, being the reflection of Heaven.

Jesus is the Light of the world and that light of life within us and it is our mission to light the world wherever we go.

The Message: Matthew 5:13-16, “Let me tell you why you are here…. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world.”

We are praying for the touch of Heaven, His will to be done. The touch of Heaven in us…in our church…that the light of Heaven can shine through us, our church, and so that in turn we become the reflection of Heaven.

Genesis 28:10-17

Heaven is where God is - ‘surely the Lord is in this place’.
The church…to be a gateway to heaven. A place where when people arrive they get that taste, that glimpse of what heaven is going to be.

Let us think about what Heaven will be like, helping us cement our desire to see God’s Heavenly will being done in our lives and in our church, and help us bring that ‘touch of heaven’.

Heaven…

It is ‘the place’ to be!

When we walk into heaven I am sure it will take our breath away. I believe that church should have the same impact. There should be a sense that when people come in they’ve stepped out of one place into another.

It is a place that is ‘irresistible’

I imagine heaven to be a place that is irresistible. In Psalms there are many references to wanting to be in the presence of God, it talks of thirsting, longing, desiring, yearning.

Psalm 84:2 - ‘My soul longs, yes, even faints, for the courts of the Lord…One day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere’.

Church needs to be more than just part of our weekly routine, and we need to challenge that thought in our lives. It’s the people of God, joining together in worship and adoration of God, bringing and experiencing a touch of heaven on earth.

Psalm 27:4 ‘One thing I ask Lord, that I will seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever’

It is a place of unity

In heaven there is a perfect unity. Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in perfect unity.
All of heaven is united in their worship and adoration of God.

Unity is such a crucial feature of a relevant church and something that we must pursue and guard jealously.

John 17:23 May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

It is a place of excellence

I believe that heaven is a place of excellence and precision.

In everything we do we need to strive for excellence, in how we fulfil our roles being fully committed in whatever we do…excellence in our attitudes and speech, full of positivity, hope and love, excellence in the presentation there should be no excuse for shabbiness or untidiness.

‘Anything will do’ - that attitude should be out of the window.

‘Excellence is never accidental’ - It will take work and effort but it’s worth it. Isaiah 66:1 - "Heaven is my throne, earth is my footstool. What sort of house could you build for me?”

It is a place of life and passion

I think heaven is full of passion. In your presence is fullness of joy Psalm 16:11

Revelation 8:1 - When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour!

It is a safe place

Revelation 21:3-4

But while we’re here on earth there are tears and there are sorrows. But when people come into this place, they need to experience the safety and security of heaven. We need to ensure that this house is a place where people can draw strength and find protection.

God wants to heal the hurting in people’s lives. As a church we are not here to judge people, we’re not here to condemn them, but our job is to cherish them - to lift the lives of people.

It is a place populated by a people with a Heavenly perspective

Philippians 3:20 - But our citizenship is in heaven.

We are strangers in this world…but already citizens of another.

BUT More than just citizens… ambassadors of that country… representatives.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 – (17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (18) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: (19) that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (20) We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

The Cross – Jesus Died to Forgive Us

Great morning at CLC! Paul Benger completed the series ‘The Cross’, an excellent finale about the fact that Jesus died to forgive us.

The Pharisee & The Tax Collector - In Luke 18 Jesus tells a story about 2 men that go to pray, we think it's a simple story about prayer but it's not. It's a story about how to be right with God. The first man is trusting his own efforts the second says, "Please provide atonement for me." It's the second man that gets justified.

We need forgiveness. We all fall short of God’s righteous standard.

Romans 3:23-24 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus

People try to get right with God by what they DO... it's law keeping, if I’m good enough then...but it doesn't work!

If you were asked the question does God love you, like most people you would probably answer yes. But what about the question "Does God like you?" How would you answer that?

God takes no pleasure in holding our sins against us. He wants to forgive us.

Acts 13:38 – Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you

God loves you and God likes you! He has removed our sin from us completely. We can live in that place of joy and thankfulness. The Gospel is more than forgiveness…there is an exchange that takes place, our sins are placed on Jesus and his righteousness is given to us. We are made right with God!

The Nature of Forgiveness

It’s Total - It’s not 10% forgiveness…it’s complete! Hebrews 8:12 – For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Hebrews 10:18 – And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.

It’s a Gift – you can’t earn it. We can’t boast about it. Even as Christians we can still fall into the trap of trying to please God…to earn his righteousness. We need to accept the gift and live in the power of that righteousness. Don’t walk around with your heads down…lift up your heads and believe that the gift belongs to you…it’s yours!

It’s by Grace – It’s God’s favour shown to us. Titus 3:7 – so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

It’s through Faith – Acts 13:39 – Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith is the only currency of Heaven. We can’t do it in our own strength…we rely on Him.

It’s by His Death – It all comes back to the cross and his resurrection. Romans 5:9 – Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

Results of Forgiveness

- We have peace with God
- We escape God’s wrath and condemnation
- We have freedom from the law
- We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live for Jesus
- We forgive others

Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

The Cross – Jesus Died to Reveal God

Another amazing morning in church today. As part of our current series on the Cross, Paul Benger shared a great message on the fact that Jesus died to reveal God.

The New Testament emphasises death Jesus - Matthew devotes 33% of book to final week of Jesus' life, Mark 37%, Luke 25% & John 42%. It's the death of Jesus therefore that reveals God to us. Jesus is the visible appearance of the invisible God. His death shows us what God is like more than anything else.

John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Unless God shows us what he is like we can make it up! He couldn’t allow that so he came to earth through his Son.

Look at four things about Jesus on the cross that reveals to us what God is like so that we don’t get a distorted view.

God is JUST

God could have left us…he could have let sin have its way. However, he chose to save us and in doing so in order to be just had to punish sin.

Romans 3:25-26 - God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished – he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Somebody, Jesus, took the punishment for us. Some believe this was unfair…that Jesus would go through this for us. They feel that we should pay in someway for our sin. That we get away with it cheaply!

It wasn’t cheap – it cost God his only Son. No-one can say that God is unjust. He has to deal with sin. He chose to save us when he could have just left us alone.

God is LOVE

The cross is barbaric but the good new is God loves People.

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:9-10 - This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

God is love…that is the reason that he didn’t leave us. His passion is for people…it’s what drove him. He could do no other. He loves people…the unlovely! The cross reveals his passion for people.

God is our REDEEMER

God redeems us. Puts us back in the place we should be in. Puts us in the position where we can live by the life of the Spirit!

Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Got to see things from God’s perspective now. Don’t let things become blurred…line oursleves up with him. Get on his wavelength.

God has a HEART for RECONCILIATION

God is our Friend. God has taken the initiative to reconcile us to himself and call us friends.

We see miracles today…every time God finds someone and rescues them.
As we see the amazing images on our screens from Haiti of the search and rescue missions…God is seeking and searching for the lost. No one is off his radar. He is clambering through the rubble of a sin soaked world to bring life to all who will trust him for salvation. We are now engaged in that mission with him!

He doesn’t give up after so many days either! He keeps on seeking and saving the lost.

Romans 5:10-11 - For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 - And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Let’s join with his mission…in the search and rescue!

Mark 16:15 - And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

The Cross - Jesus Died for our Freedom

A great time at CLC today, Mark Wilkins spoke this morning on the fact that Jesus died for our freedom. An excellent message, part of our current series on the Cross.

Freedom…it is something we will fight for, even die for. Independence…wars fought for freedom.
It comes from that basic human desire…to be free. We’re born to be free.

What is freedom? One definition – ‘A capacity to determine your choices, the absence of constraint or servitude’

‘Freedom’ at the opposite end to ‘Tyranny’. Tyranny is the ‘illegitimate ruler’…freedom is the absence of that illegitimate ruler, choosing to be free of that tyrant. Through Jesus’ death we can cast off those illegitimate rulers.

Titus 2:13-14 - while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good

Redemption is synonymous with freedom. We can have the wrong grasp of what redemption means today…of what Jesus accomplished at the cross.

What does redeem mean? The penalty was paid by Jesus, but how do we understand what this meant? It helps to think of what happened to the children of Israel in Egypt.

Exodus 6:6 – "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgement.

Deuteronomy 15:15 – Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today

God dealt with Pharaoh…he removed the tyranny that was over the children of Israel. To redeem means to crush or destroy that thing that has a hold over us. When Jesus died the debt was wiped out…destroyed.

2 Samuel 7:23 - And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt?

Who is our Redeemer?

Romans 3:24 – and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus

1 Corinthians 1:30 – It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption

Jesus is our Redeemer. What has been redeemed? What has been crushed…destroyed?

Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”

Free from the Law – Jesus rescued us from the curse of the law. As we come to him we are accepted and forgiven. His grace is sufficient. We can have a relationship with God and not religion. God erases our past.

Free from Satan – the cross completely crushed the power of the enemy. Removed the tyrannical hold that Satan has over us. Jesus won the battle and we are able to walk free.

Romans 6:6-7 – For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin - because anyone who has died has been freed from sin

Free from Sin – sin, the illegitimate ruler. Jesus breaks the addiction, that rule over our lives. We can be victorious over all of that!

Galatians 6:14 – May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world

He has overcome the world. Jesus completely destroyed the those things over us that seek to bind us and keep us enslaved. How did Jesus do it?

Romans 3:22-23 – This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Jesus rescued us…we now need to accept who is. His death on the cross is what freed us.

His love has saved us
His blood has claimed us

We can walk in the life that God intended for us. Only through Christ can we live a free life…a full life.

Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Galatians 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery

We are truly free through him. We can stay free as we keep our eyes on him and what he has done for us.

The Cross – Jesus Died to Crush our Enemies

Another amazing morning in church today. Paul Benger continued our series on ‘the Cross’, a great message about the fact that Jesus died to crush our enemies.

The truth sets us free. We see this starkly when we consider our theme today. Jesus was victorious at the cross…not defeated by sin, death or the devil. He triumphed over them!

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” C.S. Lewis

Colossians 2:13-15 - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

The battlefield exists…we need to enforce the victory that Jesus has already won!

There are three public enemies (or Christian enemies) for us…

Enemy Number 1 – Sin

Sin always separates us or disconnects us from God. Jesus conquered sin at the cross.

Jesus defeats sin in our lives by making us alive to God. He has defeated sin at the cross he now causes us to be alive to God's peace, wisdom, grace, power, people, Spirit, mission.

Sin always disconnects. It disconnects us from others, from God even from our true self. When we become alive to God we reconnect and make new connections into which God puts his life!

As we become alive to God and his purposes people can see this in us…and when can then see other people coming alive to him.

CLC is unashamed to say that church is all about God and people. Seeing people connecting with God and his mission.

“When people have an experience that’s very powerful in the movie theatre, they want to share it. They want to grab their friend and bring them, so that they can enjoy it. They want to be the person to bring the “news” - that this is something worth having in their life.” James Cameron, Director of Avatar.

When we are alive to God we want to be that way too!

Enemy Number 2 – The Law

Jesus took away the Law by being the sinless sacrifice for sins. The law tries to keep us in RELIGION & not RELATIONSHIP. Any stuff added to the gospel takes away its power to transform us!

Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The law wants to make us religious. Our relationship with God is not all about rules and regulations…Jesus is enough!

Religion says ‘can't do’ Jesus says ‘can do’!

Enemy No 3 – Satan

Jesus has crushed Satan at the cross we now enforce that victory in our lives and bring his kingdom to others.

Colossians 1:13 - For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves

He triumphed over Satan and has placed you and I in that same place of victory…and our enemy is under our feet.

Ephesians 1:20-23 Ephesians 2:4-6

Which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

So how will we live? The issue of SIN is will we live DEAD or ALIVE. The issue of LAW is will we live in RELIGION or RELATIONSHIP. The issue of SATAN is will we live BOUND or FREE.

The Cross - Jesus Died in our Place

New Year and a great new series started in church this morning, called the Cross. Paul Benger spoke an excellent message called Jesus died in our place.

It’s amazing how many people wear crosses…they’re everywhere! The cross is the most popular symbol and icon for the Christian faith.

Jesus and the what he accomplished at the cross still changes lives today.

Crucifixion was a brutal way to die. Cicero said, "Roman citizens should not think of it" and the first Christian emperor banned it. The word excruciating which means from the cross was born from the act of crucifixion and the pain that a crucified person would go through.

It’s sometimes hard for us to comprehend the enormity of what was happening at the cross of Jesus Christ.

All of the charges brought against him were false…it was an unfair death, because he did not die for himself – he died for us.

John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 John 4:9-10 – This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

These verses reveal 2 amazing truths…

1) The cross shows the love of God
2) Jesus died in our place for our sins. This is known as substitution.

God is love…but he’s not just love, he is righteous, he is fair, he is judge. But love is the key. He is lovingly just, he is lovingly righteous…he is a loving judge.

The ultimate expression of God’s love is through the Cross.

The great truth for us today is that God has done all the work. He sent his Son to save. He realised that we couldn’t save ourselves. He does it all.

Isaiah 53 (The Message)

The fact that Jesus died in our place needs to be applied to our lives. Five applications of this great truth…

1) Know that your sin and the sin of the world has been by Jesus

Isaiah 53:6 – We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

ALL sin and for ALL the peoples of the world! Wow the Lord laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. Rapists, murderers, liars, thieves, deceivers etc. Let this truth free us. He has bore our sin so that it would not weigh us down. O what grace!

2) Trust him with your life

The cross is not just about Heaven. He died to redeem us…to bring us back to the place where we were meant to be. Jesus has paid the price for your life now! Live in freedom, with hope & knowing there's a great future ahead. The love of God expressed through the cross is powerful. It redeems, delivers and sets free.

Let us leap into his arms with total trust…total abandonment!

3) Receive peace and healing

Isaiah 53:5 – The punishment that brought us peace was upon him and by his stripes we are healed.

Jesus heals the human condition!

Don’t let the enemy steal your peace, your rest. We can know breakthrough this year…because of all he has done. Jesus died for you peace, your rest.

4) Live free from guilt and condemnation

Don't let anything hold you back! Believe God. Exercise faith in the work of Christ.

The best is yet to come!

5) Know God

Jesus died for us as the sacrifice for our sins but to bring us to God. Relationship, it's all about relationship not religion!

1 Peter 3:18 – For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit